Seven new S-70i Black Hawk helicopters will be formally commissioned to the Philippine Air Force (PAF) in a ceremony in Pasay City on Wednesday, its spokesperson announced on Tuesday.

In a press briefing, Col. Ma Christina Basco said the "acceptance, turnover, and blessing" of seven newly acquired S-70i Black Hawk helicopters at the 250th Presidential Airlift Wing Hangar, Colonel Jesus Villamor Air Base marks the completion of 32 units contracted from Lockheed Martin's Polish subsidiary PZL Mielec for P32 billion.

Basco said the "ceremony will be grazed by Lt. General Arthur Cordura, the commanding general of the Philippine Air Force, as the guest of honor".

''The arrival of these seven helicopters completes the delivery of all 32 S-7Oi Black Hawk helicopters acquired under the PAF's modernization program, marking a significant milestone in the development of the country's rotary wing capability," she said.

"The additional aircraft will further strengthen the PAF's capacity to conduct a wide range of missions, including troop and personal transport, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, search and rescue, medical evacuation, and other critical air operations," she added.

Basco said the completion of the acquisition of 32 units "reflects the PAF's continuing efforts to modernize its fleet and enhance mission readiness."

"With a larger and more capable Black Hawk fleet, the PAF is better positioned to provide responsive air support in both national defense operations and in times of crisis, particularly when communities need immediate assistance," she said.

"The completion of the S-70I Black Hawk acquisition reinforces the PAF's commitment to building a credible, agile, and mission-ready air force capable of protecting the nation and serving the Filipino people whenever and wherever needed," she added.

The first 10 units of the total of 32 S-70i Black Hawk helicopters were delivered in 2024, followed by 10 other aircraft in 2025 while five more units arrived in January and seven which will be accepted on Wednesday.

Sixteen Black Hawk helicopters were also acquired for P11.5 billion from 2020 and 2021.The Black Hawk fleet is now at 47 after one of the first 16 units acquired by PAF crashed during a night-flight training mission in Tarlac on June 24, 2021. Robina Asido/PHS